The best way to alleviate the stress and monotony of your morning commute might be to listen to natural sounds like birdsong and waterfalls, according to a new claim by South Western Railway.
Their research indicates that commuters who listen to nature sounds experience a 35% reduction in stress levels, compared to those who listen to nothing. In contrast, those who opt for music or podcasts see only an 11% decrease in stress.
Conducted in collaboration with Charles Spence, a professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford, the research has not yet undergone peer review or been published in scientific journals. It was described as an "ecologically valid preliminary study" and involved a small sample of 42 passengers on a specially commissioned commuter train service. This train, operating on a 47-minute circular route from London Waterloo, simulated typical commuting conditions.
Participants were divided into two groups. One group listened to nature sounds for 15 minutes, took a 15-minute break, and then listened to their choice of music or podcasts for another 15 minutes. The other group experienced the same sequence in reverse. Their stress levels were assessed using an industry-standard mood questionnaire.
The report noted a significant reduction in average stress levels when passengers listened to nature-inspired sounds compared to baseline levels.
